Ashburnham goat farmer has big vision for old factory in Gardner

GARDNER — An Ashburnham goat farmer hopes to transform an old wood shop into place of agriculture, art and education.

In a tour Tuesday afternoon of the former Saloom Furniture factory at 115 Coburn Ave., Patricia Stewart, owner of Hames & Axle Farm in Ashburnham, said she can envision multiple uses for the 100-plus-year-old factory, including operating a micro-creamery, where small farmers can bring their milk, an area for animal therapy programs, and a place for winter storage to all local farmers to sell their products at markets year-round, rather than just in the summer.

"The food hub will allow farmers to bring their food to a central area to stock it," Ms. Stewart said.

Ms. Stewart said she is thinking about the needs of her neighbors and other farmers in northern Central Massachusetts, as well as her own needs.

"I've got 60 goats and have way more demand for my goat cheese and milk than I can supply," she said.

Sustainability at issue

Ms. Stewart said there could also be a market at the factory for the farmers who want to sell their products there as well as at farmers markets.

The upper floor could be used for artist studios, she said.

Working with Ms. Stewart are buyers agent Penny Maliska and Ann Bryant, who has been working on fundraising projects for the center.

Ms. Bryant said the center can be found at www.northcountrysustain.org and on Facebook. Ms. Stewart said she can also be reached at (978) 827-1305.

"This is all about neighbors helping neighbors," Ms. Bryant said.

Peter Haley of Morin Real Estate led the tour of the factory. He said the building was put up for sale in October by Saloom Furniture Co. of Winchendon. He said the building has not been in full use for furniture manufacturing for about three years. The company is seeking $257,900 for the two-story, 24,000-square-foot building.

'A place to hang our hats'

Ms. Stewart said she is looking to purchase the building for the nonprofit North Country Sustainability Center to help small farmers compete with large businesses through cooperative efforts, including operating a community commercial kitchen, a micro-dairy and other programs.

She said she is seeking donors to help with the purchase of the factory and startup costs for the project.

"We need a space," she said. "We need a place to hang our hats."

The North Country Sustainability Center is working with the owners of the former Immaculate Conception Church in Fitchburg to run a commercial kitchen, which would allow small farmers to produce their jams, baked goods, cheese and other products at lower cost than operating their own certified kitchens. Ms. Stewart said she is hoping to have the kitchen operational in the spring.

A meeting with farmers to discuss plans for the food hub and commercial kitchen scheduled for Wednesday night was rescheduled to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the former church, 59 Walnut St., Fitchburg.